Page 23 of A Bluestocking for the Wicked Duke
“Just fulfill your end of the bargain,” the Duchess said as she walked away.
William had finished his practice and went to prepare for the ball. He intended to look as good as he could tonight.
“I am using a bait to catch two fishes, it better be attractive enough,” William thought.
William went into the courtyard. He was fully dressed in a tapered white shirt tucked into a navy blue pair of trousers. He would have worn a jacket but the tightness made his scar itch, he had swiftly removed it. He saw the steward drive the curricle towards him. When it got to him the steward got out and bowed, leaving it empty.
James is always late
He looked up as he said that to see Lord James riding to the house on his horse. He looked majestic on the horse. He wore a gold-buttoned shirt on knee-length breeches. When he got down his hair caught the light, giving a reddish sheen to the golden hair. Lord James was strikingly handsome.
“You sure want to steal all the available ladies at the ball,” William said to Lord James.
“No, just any girl that you pick an interest in,” Lord James replied
“Fool,” William answered before climbing into the curricle.
Lord James laughed and dismounted from his horse, giving the reins to an attending steward. Then he climbed gently into the curricle, sitting beside the driving William.
He drove the curricle past his gate down the street. It was two hours past noon. William predicted the ride to the house of the Viscount would take in the least an hour and half. He looked beside him to see Lord James, staring forward too.
“James, you’d have to stay close. I am sure some problems might arise on the dance floor, you have to be my eyes and ears,” William said to his friend without looking at him.
The only reply he got was a slight hum. The ride was largely uneventful, each man captured in his own thoughts. William thought back to how the sword had shattered in his hands. He had been surprised, the Duke showed no surprise or restraint. He just continued like it was a normal thing.
Like he was expecting it.
On getting to the house of the Discount, William could see so many carriages, manned and unmanned, outside the territory. Some ladies had just arrived and were raising the bottoms of their gowns up for it not to scrape the ground. Lord James alighted and waited for his friend to give the curricle to the attending stewards for proper packing. After watching the curricle drive away, Williams took the stairs to the dance hall.
The hall was a riot of colours. William saw men wearing mostly black. Black breeches, black trousers, black shirts, black socks and shoes were everywhere. Some men were bold enough to try bright colours. William could see yellow breeches at the end of the hall. The women looked ravishing, gathering in groups of twos and threes; they conversed only with themselves.
“Do you see the Earl of Buckingham and Chandos?” William, drawing close to his friend, asked him.
Lord James looked around, searching for Duke Nicholas.
“No, nothing but I can see the Duke of Norfolk coming into the hall right now. The woman holding hands with him would be his wife; that must be the daughter Esther behind them. Keep your eyes on them,” Lord James told his friend.
William noted where they were and watched around for the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos was, he couldn’t find him.
‘'I don’t think Duke Nicholas is scheduled to attend this ball,” William said.
“I don’t too because here come his daughter and her popular friend, Emma Montague. It is said that her tongue has more venom than a viper’s,” replied Lord James.
William laughed at his friend’s description.
“How do you recognize them?” William asked.
“I have been to their house many times. I know them.”
William looked to the duo walking into the hall. The one in front was short with shaggy blonde hair. She kept talking back to talk to her friend who seemed more reserved than her.
“The taller one has to be Joane,” William said.
“She is,” Lord James replied softly.
Joane was astonishing to look at. Her carriage was simple and graceful without airs that showed self consciousness. She had worn a white gown with red ribbons around her waist and a large brooch in her hair. Her skin was creamy white, spotless and smooth. William took two steps forward; he wanted to see her better. Her face was round, her features small.
“If only she would wipe that frown off her face,” William soliloquized.
